Written Testimony - Boston Convenience Store Owners Association

March 2,2017

Boston City Council
1 City Hall Square, Room 550
Boston, MA 02201-2043

Dear Boston City Councilors:

For 22 years, I have owned and operated 2 convenience stores in Boston’s Dorchester neighbor¬
hood. By and large, I have felt that the City Council has respected my work during this time, and
has at least had awareness of the important role my shops play in underserved communities. Lately
a few council decisions, especially the council’s insistence on resurrecting a plastic bag tax pro¬
posal, are perplexing to members of the Boston Convenience Store Owners Association (BCSOA)
that work hard every day to provide critical resources to our neighborhoods.

The proposed Boston plastic bag ordinance would require stores, like mine, to charge customers a
tax of at least five cents for each of the city-approved reusable bags customers need to carry their
groceries home. As a convenience store owner, I don’t have a problem with reusable bags or other
alternatives. What I take issue with is any government proposal that would add to my customers’
or my business expenses without a compelling reason -- and I have seen nothing that proves this
singular tax measure would make Boston’s litter problems go away.

Food deserts are a reality in Boston. Not all my customers have cars, so convenience stores are the
closest, and sometimes only, accessible grocery option during a busy work week. In other words,
for many low- and middle-income families, stores like mine are the neighborhood grocery store.

For those who believe a five-cent plastic bag tax can be a ”good reminder” to bring reusable bags
I would ask you to consider the families who shop at my store that don’t have spare change, period.
In between pay days, I have seen customers tom between buying milk or eggs. I have seen others
walk away from the register empty-handed because they have been a few cents short.

For those who say reusable bags are easy to store in the trunk of a car, I urge you to think about
whether it’s fair to demand that behavior from working moms and dads who take public transpor¬
tation and carry only a purse, briefcase or backpack with them when they commute?

Boston’s plastic bag tax would unfairly burden low-income families, fixed-income seniors and
residents who participate in food assistance programs. A fundamentally regressive measure like

Boston Convenience Store Owners Association • 12 Post Office Square, 6'*^ Floor • Boston - MA * 02109

bostoncsoa.com

this should not be among the City Council’s first priorities for 2017. In fact, it shouldn’t be pursued
at all.

I understand my customers’ needs and financial circumstances. People are tired of being told what
choices they can or can’t make at the store. Just because some Boston residents can afford to pay
the plastic bag tax or already have a collection of reusable bags, not everyone can do so painlessly.

This ordinance, as with the flavored tobacco prohibition instituted last year, would have an undue
impact on businesses like mine and the communities we serve. And there are simply too many
^opportunities for selective and inequitable enforcement.

To do. right by community, and not just those who can^ford to pay a gratuitous plastic

bag tax, please do not press forward with this unfair proposal. Think of the low- and middle-
income families who would bear its burden.

Boston’s working people and the strength of its community and community businesses are its
greatest assets. BCSO A supports efforts to protect the envirorunent that are conscious of the small
business owners in Boston.

Respectfully,

Francisco Marte, President

Boston Convenience Store Owners Association

CC: Mayor Marty Walsh

Council President Michelle Wu
Councilor Michael Flaherty
Councilor Annissa Essaibi George
Councilor Ayanna Pressle
Councilor Salvatore Lamattina
Councilor Bill Linehan
Councilor Frank Baker
Councilor Andrea Campbell
Councilor Timothy McCarthy
Councilor Matt O’Malley
Councilor Tito Jackson
Councilor Josh Zakim
Councilor Mark Ciommo

Boston Convenience Store Owners Association • 12 Post Office Square, 6''" Floor • Boston • MA • 02109

bostoncsoa.com